Can A Licensed Practical Nurse Afford Rent in Dover, DE?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.3% of gross income.

Dover rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Delaware state estimate).

Dover median rent
$1,619/mo
Licensed Practical Nurse salary (Delaware)
$62,006/yr
Rent as % of income
31.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,167, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,550/mo in rent. Dover's median rent of $1,619 exceeds that threshold by $69/mo, putting a licensed practical nurse salary into the rent-burdened range here. A licensed practical nurse works roughly 54.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a licensed practical nurse salary

LPN pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. At the national-average LPN salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,520 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Delaware cities have lower median rent than Dover, which improves the affordability math on a licensed practical nurse salary:

Claymont, DE
$1,616/mo (31.3% of income)
Claymont, DE
$1,613/mo (31.2% of income)
Claymont, DE
$1,611/mo (31.2% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Dover

View full rent data for Dover, DE

Frequently asked questions

Can a licensed practical nurse afford rent in Dover, DE?

Median rent in Dover is $1,619 a month. A typical licensed practical nurse in Delaware earns about $62,006 a year, which makes that rent 31.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a licensed practical nurse afford in Dover?

Using the 30% rule, a licensed practical nurse salary in Delaware (~$62,006/yr) supports up to $1,550 a month in rent. Dover's current median rent is $1,619/mo, which is $69/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a licensed practical nurse work to cover rent in Dover?

At an hourly equivalent of about $30 an hour, a licensed practical nurse in Delaware works roughly 54.3 hours a month to cover Dover's median rent of $1,619.

Where is rent cheaper than Dover for a licensed practical nurse?

Nearby Delaware cities with lower median rent include Claymont ($1,616/mo), Claymont ($1,613/mo), Claymont ($1,611/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a licensed practical nurse salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Delaware state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Dover, DE. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.